Jacqueline Peterson

Our January Thug of the Month was nominated by his wife Abi and his friend Brendan. With their permission we would like to share his story with you as seen through the eyes of just a few of his supporters.

 “Josh is my husband and the father to my two girls. We got married young and he has always worked his butt off to provide and make sure we had a good life. Now that we have a family, he makes sure that everything he does is for us.

 He always looks for the best in everyone and you will find it extremely rare to find someone who doesn’t say he is a standup guy.

 He recently received a promotion and there is not any man I feel that is more deserving! He works hard and loves harder. A friend to many and someone other people know they can look to when they really need someone. I could go on and tell story after story talking about what a good man he is. But hopefully you get the point! I’m a proud and blessed fire wife not because Josh is my husband but because of the man he is.

Josh is part of employee support services this means he has taken the class and is willing to be on call if there is ever anyone who needs someone to talk to even when he isn’t on shift. There are not many on this team because it takes someone with the desire to help beyond what their jobs already may ask of them. 

Just recently at a dinner I was attending with Josh for his captain who was leaving, another firefighter approached us and thanked Josh for allowing him to talk to him. He said that he knows that no matter what Josh is someone he knows he can go to and Josh will have his back. The firefighter went on to tell me there aren’t many dudes like him and I had a good guy.

He gets calls almost daily asking him for his opinion on something or someone needing to bounce off ideas to. He almost always answers or calls back even when he may not feel like it.” Abi Rogers

“I have worked with Josh on and off for the past 10 years or so. I feel that Josh exudes the qualities that you are looking for in the Thug of the Month.

I first met Josh working as Firefighters together for CAL Fire. We shared a common bond both coming over to the State having worked on Hotshot crews in California. I knew Josh was my kind of Fireman, hardworking and one who lets his work speak louder than his words. 

As the years went on Josh and I became better friends and no matter how tired or shot out Josh was he was always willing to help out. Whether that was re tiling fire stations or loading hose, Josh is always someone that would help you out, no questions asked, and have a smile on his face while doing it. 

 Josh excepted a Fire Apparatus Engineer job a couple years back in Riverside, and always found the positive in his circumstance. In that he has two beautiful daughters and a loving wife in at home.  Josh knew that he needed to take this job even though it was so far away from home. It would be the best for his family and his career in the long run. We would have long conversations on this drive to or from work and he always was upbeat even sitting in L.A. traffic. 

 Josh made it back home after 2 years of commuting back and forth from work in Riverside, and recently accepted a Captains job with CAL Fire, but I can guarantee you that no matter what rank Josh is, he will be pulling hose right alongside of his Firefighters when the opportunity arises. 

 Josh just recently told me that he had been doing 100 burpees a day for the month of December.  Not to brag but just in casual conversation. I couldn't let that pass without asking him if he planned on doing 100 burpees on Christmas Day. He smiled and told me that he was going to take that day off, but I heard that he just did 200 burpees the next day to make up for the day off. To me that sums up Josh's work ethic and integrity.

 Josh just lives his work life and home life with grace, dignity and hard work. I am a better person to know Josh and definitely a better fireman working alongside him.”

Brendan

We would like to thank Josh Rogers for not simply taking the easy path. Thank you for leading with integrity and compassion. Your choice to live life by a higher standard and strive to uplift those around you has left a lasting mark on those you come into contact with. The compassion for others and commitment to better your surroundings can be a heavy burden. It is our desire to ensure you know that your actions are making a difference and it is our honor to recognize you as a Plug Thug!